General Engineer

About the Air Force Test Center:

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow's Air Force is tested! Long considered the "Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe", AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history!

ENERAL OPENING STATEMENTS

Your next opportunity is here: The Air Force Civilian Service is looking for your talents and skills to work alongside our uniformed Airmen in the United States Air Force.

About the Role:

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time General Engineer (NH-0801-04) to work at the 96th Test Wing, 96th Operations Group, 40th Flight Test Squadron, at Eglin Air Force Base.

Serves as the organization's senior technical engineering authority for complex test and evaluation efforts, leading the planning, design, analysis, development, and execution of engineering solutions that support weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Integrates technical requirements, develops standards and test approaches, advises leadership on risks and alternatives, and ensures projects deliver effective, reliable, and supportable capabilities aligned to program objectives, performance criteria, cost, and schedule.

APPLY NOW! THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME!

Location: Eglin Air Force Base, FL

Typical 2026 salary range: $125,776 - $192,331 per year/per hour (includes locality)

If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.

Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Incentives: This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Must have requirements or may not be considered:

1. Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military aircraft in accordance with Joint Travel Regulations may be required in performance of TDY.

2. Temporary duty away from home base may be required. Incumbent may be required to fly as a passenger on military aircraft.

3. The work requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance.

4. The duties of this position require an advanced level of competence in basic science. The incumbent must possess an engineering degree from an institution with ABET accredited engineering program.

5. This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee must meet or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DA WIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.

Desired Skills:

-Strategic Autonomy T&E Leadership: Demonstrated mastery in designing and leading comprehensive Test and Evaluation (T&E) and Verification & Validation (V&V) frameworks for fully autonomous aircraft, uncrewed systems, and safety-critical AI/ML software.

-Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) Technical Authority: Deep understanding of advanced machine learning concepts (e.g., reinforcement learning, neural network verification, sensor fusion, multi-agent autonomy) and the ability to evaluate algorithmic reliability, bounding criteria, and failure modes.

-LVC & Digital Test Infrastructure: Experience directing and integrating Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL), and digital architectures to validate autonomy software against complex operational scenarios.

Major Duties:

1. Leads and performs complex engineering work supporting the acquisition, development, testing, sustainment, and improvement of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment, while balancing performance, cost, schedule, and policy requirements.

2. Serves as the organization's engineering specialist for critical systems and devices by developing technical objectives, evaluating design concepts, and creating engineering methods, models, prototypes, and test approaches for operational use.

3. Conducts detailed technical analysis, develops and documents engineering processes and project results, prepares reports and briefings, and supports reviews, planning, implementation, and corrective actions across complex projects.

4. Provides expert consultation and technical advice to leadership, senior specialists, and agency officials on engineering issues, project status, program alternatives, and the impact of emerging technologies on organizational processes and decisions.

Qualifications/Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship

1. A professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited institution in Electronics Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline is highly desired.

2. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.

3. The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license may be required for the position.

4. The work requires the employee to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT:

Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

(NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.)

Drug Testing:

This is a designated Drug Testing Position

Security Clearance:

Must be able to obtain and maintain and "Top Secret" security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI))

Education Requirements:

The incumbent must possess an engineering degree from an institution with ABET accredited engineering program.

Certifications/Licensure:

This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).

DAWIA Certification: (if applicable)

The employee must meet or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.

Top 5-6 job related KSAs:

1. Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.

2. Knowledge of development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.

3. Knowledge of integrated air-vehicles, ground systems, and support equipment sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of electronic systems or devices.

4. Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and other engineering disciplines.

5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches, and to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes.

6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:

Paid Time Off:

11 Federal Holidays each year

13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)

Paid Vacation Time:

13-26 days per year based on length of employment

Health Insurance:

No waiting period to qualify for you and your family

Retirement:

Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

Basic Benefits Plan

Social Security:

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)

Health & Wellness:

Various Medical

Flexible Spending Account

Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance

Work/Life Balance:

Family and Medical Leave Act

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)

Career Development:

Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities

Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at ;br>
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Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

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AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.